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Traffic Manual

IX.4.2. Acceptance of the information collected in the TIR Carnet

Article 273 of the AE

The NCTS must be used for the exchange of information contained in the TIR Carnet for TIR operations and for the completion of customs formalities under Union transit procedures.

The exchange of electronic messages containing TIR Carnet information occurs at three levels:

  • between the TIR Carnet holder and customs (external domain);
  • between the customs of a country (national domain); and
  • between the different national customs administrations and the European Commission (common domain).

In general, when submitting TIR Carnet data electronically, the holder has the following options, depending on the Member State concerned:

  • direct data entry by the operator (including entry via a customs website);
  • electronic data interchange (EDI);
  • data entry at customs (at a terminal available to operators);
  • through an interface developed by the international body (e.g. the IRU EPD app).

Annex IX.8.4 describes the use of the TIR Carnet without exchange of TIR Carnet information for the TIR operation in case of temporary failure of the electronic systems (emergency procedure).

Although the TIR Carnet holder is obliged to submit the TIR Carnet data to the customs office of departure or entry using the NCTS, in order to avoid any legal consequences arising from a discrepancy between the electronic message and the TIR Carnet data, Union customs authorities must continue to complete the TIR Carnet in accordance with the TIR Convention.

Annex 1 of the TIR Convention

In the event of a discrepancy between the data in the TIR Carnet and the NCTS, the information in the TIR Carnet itself shall prevail, and the TIR Carnet holder must correct the electronic data to comply with it.

Annex 10, section 4, of the TIR Convention

Each TIR carnet has a unique reference number. A TIR carnet can be composed of 4, 6, 14 or 20 sheets. A pair of sheets is used per Contracting Party. The number of leaves indicates the number of Contracting Parties through which transit may take place, including the Contracting Parties of departure and destination.

It is important to ensure that only valid TIR Carnets are accepted. The list of invalid TIR Carnets compiled by the international organization can be downloaded from its electronic database.

The IRU is responsible for the printing and distribution of the TIR Carnet and has adopted certain security measures to enable the recognition of a counterfeit or falsified carnet. These measures include:

  • the inclusion of a truck logo embossed on the cover;
  • the use of thermochromic ink for printing;

A barcode that corresponds to the alphanumeric number of the TIR Carnet.

Article 12 of the TIR Convention

However, even an authentic TIR Carnet may not be valid, for example, if it has not been signed and stamped by the issuing association or if the validity date shown in box 1 of its cover has expired.

As with all other customs controls, the degree and intensity of checks prior to acceptance of a TIR Carnet will be determined based on a risk analysis. Such controls shall include verification that all goods loaded are covered by the guarantee (see section IX.3.3).